Alimmatades

Alimmatades is one of the five villages of the geographical area of Kratsalo, on the northwest side of Corfu. It consists of two settlements, Katsaratika and Vitouladitika divided by a river. It is in the lap and at the foot of the mountains Rakamias, Dentrouli, Grammatera, Vounakari, which belong to the great mountain range of Istoni. A magical set in nature.

1.How many inhabitants does the village have?

The village of Aleimatades is located on the northwest side of Corfu. The village has 150 inhabitants, while about 40 years ago its population reached 250 inhabitants.

2.What do the residents do for a living?

Traditionally, there was a large mountainous and domestic animal husbandry, stonemasonry (stone craftsmanship), lime kilns, tile kilns, and wood kilns (bougiates). The residents were small traders, gyro vendors. Women kneaded bread by hand in a trough (zimotiri) and baked it in wood-fired ovens. They washed clothes with an ashtray (stachtonero). Today, residents are engaged in small-scale agriculture, are professionals, employees of the public sector, tourism, and self-employed.

3.What products are produced in the area?

There were olive presses for processing olive crops, varieties of grapes, cultivation of vegetables, cereals, wheat, and corn. They were processed by grinding and milling in stone hand mills. There were many looms for creating carpets, blankets, etc. from the wool of sheep, as well as the manufacture of socks, sweaters, and many others.

4.Is there anyone who sells products?

No.

5.If yes, is the selling point visitable and how many people can it accommodate?

-

6.Are there vineyards in the area?

Yes, there are.

7.If yes, what varieties are grown?

There are the varieties kakotrygis, chroma, lefkokerina, and skopelitiko (black).

8.Is there a lake, river or waterfall?

There is a river with running water all year round called Vothinas.

9.Is there a point with acoustic peculiarity [e.g. reed bed, ravine, stream with nightingales, etc.]?

There are reed beds, ravines, streams with nightingales, and other bird species.

10.What animals are around the village, what season and where?

1.Birds

2. Reptiles

3. Vipers, martens, foxes 

4. Frogs, etc. 

There are sparrows and migratory birds, swallows, triangles, chaffinches, tits, wagtails, and pheasants. There are also reptiles such as lizards, water snakes, saita, vipers, and turtles. There are also foxes, martens, rabbits, hedgehogs, and frogs.

11.What does the vegetation of the area include, what season and where?

1.Flowers 

2. Edible [vegetables, mushrooms, tea, chamomile, oregano, capers, figs, etc.] 

3. Trees and shrubs 

There is a variety of wild flora and cultivated plants, vegetables, and crops. Mushrooms, mountain tea, thyme, oregano. Trees include fig trees, apple trees, cherry trees, walnut trees, olive trees, cypresses, chestnut trees, and other woody vegetation.

12.How many churches are there and which ones?

There is the parish church of Saint Nicholas and the chapel of Saint Anna, in the same-named area.

13.Is there any festival, procession, or other event and when?

On December 6th, the feast of Saint Nicholas is celebrated with a festive Divine Liturgy, followed by a social event with sperna (festive koliva), fried dough (loukoumades), and sweets at the old olive press next to the church. On the eve of Saint Anna on July 24th, the icon is paraded around the area where the chapel is located. The next day, on July 25th, the festive Divine Liturgy is celebrated and after it ends, there is a small reception with drinks, artoklasia, and sweets from the village housewives. In the evening, a folk festival is organized with an orchestra, roasted lambs, souvlaki, drinks, and more. On the night of June 23rd, we light lanterns. On Clean Monday, kites are flown. During Holy Week, religious services are held with the most significant being the procession of the Epitaph on Good Friday and the Resurrection on Holy Saturday.

14.Where does the water in the area come from?

It comes from drilling and is of very good quality.

15.Are there public springs or fountains with drinking water?

There are springs, but the water is intended only for irrigation.

16.Is there a point of historical interest?

No.

17.Is there any bridge, threshing floor, olive press, or other point of interest?

There is a bridge, two classic olive presses that can be visited, various attractions with the best being Vigla with a beautiful sundial.

18.Has anyone famous lived or passed through here?

No.

19.Is there anyone from the village who became famous elsewhere?

No.

20.Do you remember any stories from the old days that your grandparents told you?

The stories of the grandfathers from the wars, their way of life, the crops, the fairy tales, and the advice of the grandmothers.

21.Is there any particular custom?

The carols of Christmas, New Year’s, and Epiphany.

22.What food do you usually eat?

Various greens (tsigaréli, pork with leeks, bean soup with petsalína (pork skin), hortopites, pastitsada, sofrito, moussaka, fish bourdeto, colompímpiri minestrone, game from feathered and furry game.

23.Is there any local peculiarity in your cooking [e.g., neratzosalata]?

No.

24.Is there any cultural, musical, dance, theater, or other association?

There is a cultural association that maintains the customs and traditions of the village.

25.If yes, what actions does it have and when do they take place?

It organizes festive events, represents the village at every call. There are people who participate in a traditional dance outside the village.

26.What would you like the stranger to know about you?

We would like the visitor to visit our village which is located in a unique geographical position with a view and beauty, with two settlements, Katsaratika and Vitouladitika separated by the river. It is in the arms and on the foothills of the mountain ranges, east to west, Rakamias, Dentrouli, Grammatera, Vounakari, which belong to the great mountain range of Mount Istonis. We would like him to watch the events at the kite flying on Clean Monday, the lanterns of Ag. John. The nights of May to hunt and enjoy the spectacle of the firefly (firefly), at the festive events to taste the unique tasty loukoumades (fried dough) and the hospitality of the inhabitants.